The USTA has announced that Florida tennis sophomores Sekou Bangoura Jr. (Bradenton, Fla.) and Allie Will (Boca Raton, Fla.) have been selected to represent the United States in the fifth annual Master’U BNP Paribas, an international collegiate competition held December 9-12 in Rouen, France. The event features eight teams composed of college and university players from around the world.
Will was named the 2010 Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year honors, while also earning All-American status in both singles and doubles and making the All-SEC first team. In November, Will comprised one-half of the doubles team that captured the 2010 USTA-ITA National Intercollegiate Indoor Championship, considered one leg of the collegiate Grand Slam. The Gator sophomore already has compiled a impressive 57-7 collegiate singles record, as well as a 48-8 doubles mark.
“We are thrilled that Allie has this chance to represent Florida and perhaps more importantly represent the entire United States,” UF women’s head coach Roland Thornqvist said. “Having two Gators on this team is quite an accomplishment and a great honor. I’m sure Allie will learn a lot from this international experience.”
Bangoura was the 2010 ITA Southeast Region Rookie of the Year and was an All-SEC Freshman honoree last spring. He holds a 36-7 career singles record at the collegiate level after wrapping up the fall season with a tournament title at the Lakewood Ranch Intercollegiate Clay Court Classic in his hometown of Bradenton, Fla.
“We are excited for Sekou to have this opportunity for a great experience,” UF men’s head coach Andy Jackson said. “He is working hard and improving a lot. He will be a fantastic ambassador for the USTA and for the Gators.”
“It’s great for the Gators for there to be two Gators chosen,” Bangoura said. “It’s great for Allie and I because we know each other. To travel together and go over and play and support each other will be great. I’m looking forward to it. It was great to just end the fall season on a high note. Hopefully I can carry it over when I go to France.”
The team will be coached by Greg Patton, the head coach of the Boise State University men’s tennis team, who helped lead the U.S. to the 2009 title, and Mark Guilbeau, the head women’s tennis coach at the University of Virginia. Roster spots for the team were selected by a committee of USTA Player Development and coaches and staff from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.
The U.S., which defeated France to win the 2009 title, will be competing for the third consecutive year against a talented field that includes teams from Belgium, China, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland and Switzerland. The teams will compete in a best-of-seven format consisting of two men’s and two women’s singles matches, one men’s and one women’s doubles match, and one mixed doubles match.
In addition to Will and Bangoura, other members of the United States team include Kristy Frilling (Notre Dame) and Maria Sanchez (USC) on the women’s side, along with Reid Carleton (Duke) and Austin Krajicek (Texas A&M) on the men’s side.
